1.Mechanism of Fresh Cutting of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Discussion on Integration of Traditional Wisdom and Modern Technology
Wenjie BAO ; Lingyun ZHONG ; Wenhua WU ; Congmin LIU ; Zixin CHEN ; Xingmei LU ; Hengli TONG ; Yi HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):282-290
Fresh-cut processing constitutes a pivotal technique in the origin processing of Chinese medicinal materials, with a long history documented in multiple materia medica. In recent years, it has garnered national policy support for its ability to prevent component loss and low processing efficiency associated with traditional drying-before-cutting methods. As of August 2025, 26 provinces and municipalities nationwide have cumulatively published 789 species for fresh-cut processing. Among these, 78 were included in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. However, the practice continues to face common challenges and difficulties, including ambiguous scientific understanding, fragmented standards, limited quality control approaches, and poor process stability. Based on this, this paper synthesises years of research findings to systematically elucidate the core mechanisms of fresh-cut processing. These encompass alterations to herbal tissue structure during cutting, post-processing changes in constituents, and physiological-biochemical processes such as plant stress responses and shifts in endogenous enzyme activity. It also summarises influencing factors, including inherent herbal properties, cutting timing and methods, and environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and microbial presence. Based on this overview of fresh-cutting mechanisms, subsequent research should advance in four directions:Clarifying the scientific principles of fresh-cutting, overcoming technical bottlenecks, upgrading intelligent equipment, and establishing quality standards and evaluation systems. This study provides a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for future research on fresh-cutting in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), promoting its deeper practical application within the industry and contributing to the high-quality development of TCM industry and the modernization of TCM.
2.Construction and in vitro evaluation of dual-drug loaded lipid nanoparticles-neutrophil hitchhiking system
Zixin LIAO ; Rui ZHONG ; Jiaxin LIU ; Wanjing LI ; Xunyi YOU ; Ye CAO ; Hong WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):486-492
Objective: To enhance the ability of nanoparticles to target and bind tumor cells by constructing a neutrophil hitchhiking system based on hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified dual-drug loaded lipid nanoparticles. Methods: Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) were prepared using microfluidic technology, and the nitrogen/phosphate (N/P) ratio, flow rate ratio, and drug-to-lipid ratio were optimized. HA-modified LNPs (HA-LNPs) were prepared and characterized. The interaction between the nanoparticles and tumor cells was evaluated through in vitro cell experiments. Results: The optimal preparation conditions for LNPs are N/P=8, flow rate ratio=5, and drug-to-lipid ratio=1∶30 (w∶w). HA-LNPs has a particle size of (177.28±2.41) nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.198±0.10, and an siRNA encapsulation efficiency of (91.37±0.47)%. The optimal binding rate with neutrophils was (98.64±2.34)%. Conclusion: An HA-modified dual-drug loaded lipid nanoparticle-neutrophil hitchhiking system was successfully constructed, enhancing the synergistic anti-tumor activity of the nanomedicine and the uptake of nanoparticles by tumor cells, providing a novel delivery strategy for targeted therapy of bone marrow tumors.
3.Mechanisms of Shuangshen Ningxin Capsules in Modulating NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways to Reduce Cardiac Inflammation and Alleviate Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats
Shujuan XU ; Gaojie XIN ; Ce CAO ; Zixin LIU ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Ran ZHAO ; Lu XING ; Yehao ZHANG ; Yue SHI ; Yanlei MA ; Jianhua FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):83-91
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules (SSNX) in regulating the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways to inhibit inflammation and alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats. MethodsThe 45 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, and SSNX capsules group (90 mg·kg-1). The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish the MIRI model. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, and microvascular reperfusion was analyzed using contrast echocardiography. Myocardial inflammation and injury were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, and TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression levels of cardiac inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Core differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways were screened by transcriptome sequencing. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to verify the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), as well as the protein expression of Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2) and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) of the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), the peak time of myocardial perfusion was prolonged (P<0.01), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression increased (P<0.01), the concentrations of inflammatory factors IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR2, CXCL1 and PTGS2 increased (P<0.01), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins was significantly increased (P<0.01). SSNX could improve cardiac function (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly shorten the peak time of myocardial perfusion (P<0.01). Moreover, it could also down-regulate HIF-1α and a-SMA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduce the concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of TLR2, CXCL1 and PTGS2 (P<0.01). Additionally, SSNX inhibited the apoptosis rate (P<0.01) and significantly reduced the expression of Cleaved Caspase-3, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK proteins (P<0.01). ConclusionSSNX can alleviate cardiac inflammation by regulating the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thereby effectively preventing and alleviating myocardial reperfusion injury.
4.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Combined Phlegm and Stasis in Lung Cancer Based on Abnormal Iron Metabolism
Xiaoyu YANG ; Zixin NING ; Ying LIU ; Tong LEI ; Li SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(23):249-257
Abnormal iron metabolism constitutes a pivotal pathological mechanism in lung cancer progression. It induces cellular dysfunction, triggers inflammatory responses, promotes ferroptosis tolerance, and facilitates the formation of tumor immune microenvironments. These processes align with traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis, collectively driving malignant progression. The occurrence of iron overload and ferroptosis resistance in lung cancer represents critical components of abnormal iron metabolism, which may induce lipid deposition and hypercoagulable states—mechanisms closely associated with phlegm and stasis in TCM. Both abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis originate from dysfunction of the lung, spleen, and kidney. Their pathological manifestations share similarities: obstructing Qi and blood circulation and accumulating pathological products, and synergistically exacerbating disease progression through tumor growth and metastasis. This study elucidates the interconnections between combined phlegm and stasis, abnormal iron metabolism, and lung cancer, highlighting their pathophysiological correlations. Regarding clinical therapeutic strategies, this paper proposes three approaches: ① invigorating the spleen to resolve phlegm and alleviate iron overload for tumor suppression; ②activating blood to induce ferroptosis and inhibit tumor invasion; ③modulating iron metabolism through phlegm-resolving and stasis-eliminating therapies to reverse drug resistance. These strategies enrich the theoretical framework of phlegm-stasis regulation in lung cancer management. Integrating modern medical research with TCM pathogenesis theories, this study reveals the intrinsic link between abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer, offering new perspectives for understanding tumor development and metastasis. By establishing iron metabolism as a bridge, this study provides innovative insights into the pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer.
5.Efficacy of Shilian Powder Combined with Shumai Capsules in Promoting Wound Healing in Rats with Diabetic Foot Ulcers through Regulating the PI3K/Akt/Relaxin/Apelin Pathway
Yanping ZENG ; Zixin SHAO ; Wei MO ; Yang LIU ; Tianhao LI ; Xiong LYU ; Jianlu BI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):461-468
Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of external application with Shilian Powder combined with oral administration of Shumai Capsules for the treatment of rats with diabetic foot ulcer(DFU).Methods Eight male rats with successfully modeled foot ulcer(DF)were used as the control group.While 24 male rats with successfully modeled DFU were randomly divided into DFU group,Shumai Capsules group and Shilian Powder combined with Shumai Capsules group,with eight rats in each group.After the corresponding interventions,we determined the wound healing rate,histopathological changes of wound,levels of inflammatory factors such as interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in serum,levels of Apelin and Relaxin,and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT)and VEGF in wound tissue,as well as mRNA expressions of PI3K,AKT,Relaxin and Apelin.Results Compared with the control group,the DFU group showed a significant decrease in wound healing rate,VEGF level in serum and wound,wound Relaxin level,protein and mRNA levels of wound AKT(P<0.05),and a significant increase in serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels,wound Apelin level,wound PI3K protein and mRNA levels(P<0.05),and the reduced wound granulation tissue and formation of new capillaries and increased inflammatory cell infiltration were seen under the microscope.Compared with the DFU group,the wound healing rate,VEGF level in serum and wound,wound Relaxin and Apelin levels,protein and mRNA levels of wound PI3K and AKT in the Shumai Capsules group and Shilian Powder combined with Shumai Capsules group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the increased wound granulation tissue and formation of new capillaries and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration were seen under the microscope.Compared with the Shumai Capsules group,the wound healing rate,wound VEGF level,wound Relaxin and Apelin levels,protein and mRNA levels of wound PI3K and AKT in Shilian Powder combined with Shumai Capsules group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the increased wound granulation tissue and formation of new capillaries and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration were seen under the microscope.Conclusion External application with Shilian Powder combined with oral administration of Shumai Capsules can promote the wound healing in rats with DFU,its mechanism is related to the activation of PI3K/AKT/Relaxin/Apelin signaling pathway.
6.Mapping the symptom management journey of oral cancer patients and nursing response
Huiping XU ; Ruiqing DI ; Yanjin LIU ; Zixin GUO ; Yehua WANG ; Ling WANG ; Yifang SUN ; Xin WANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(10):1217-1222
Objective To identify the multi-dimensional needs of symptom management for oral cancer patients based on the journey map,and provide references for optimizing the symptom management of oral cancer patients.Methods From September 2023 to March 2024,the purposive sampling was used to select 15 perioperative oral cancer patients from a tertiary A general hospital in Zhengzhou for semi-structured interviews.The content analysis method was used to analyze the data and create a patient journey map.Results According to the time axis of diagnosis and treatment,the symptom management of patients with oral cancer was subdivided into 22 themes including identifying abnormal symptoms,clarifying diagnosis,anxiety,fear and uncertainty,guilt,high-risk behavioral inertia solidification,diagnostic trust crisis and so on from 3 dimensions of task,emotion,and pain point,and a journey map was formed.Conclusion The journey of symptom management for patients with oral cancer is long and complex,and the needs of patients'physiological and psychological symptom management are dynamically changing.In the future,the digital intelligence of big data technology can be combined to achieve whole-process,personalized and precise symptom management to improve the quality of life of oral cancer patients.
7.Research Progress in the Placebo Effect of Acupuncture
Na TU ; Qi LIU ; Qiuyue LYU ; Zixin HUO ; Shuyong JIA ; Yi GUO ; Guangjun WANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):187-191
There is controversy over the specific and non-specific components in the efficacy evaluation of acupuncture therapy.The placebo effect,as a key non-specific factor,needs to be clarified in terms of its mechanism and clinical value.This article reviewed the research progress in the placebo effect of acupuncture from three aspects:cognitive process,influencing factors,and mechanism.It focused on the regulatory effects of patient expectations,doctor-patient interaction,and individual differences on the effect,summarized key mechanisms such as endogenous opioid system,dopamine reward pathway,and neural projection of rostral anterior cingulate cortex to pontine nucleus,and pointed out the methodological limitations of current comfort acupuncture designs,in order to provide theoretical basis for the optimization of acupuncture clinical research models and the deepening of the effect mechanism.
8.Effect of Echinacea purpurea extract on digestive ability and intestinal barrier function of Bamei ternary pigs
Zixin CHEN ; Hua WU ; Wensheng WANG ; Jiayi LIU ; Jiewei SHEN ; Long LI ; Guohong ZHAO ; Shulei MA
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(7):1525-1534
The aim of the experiment was to study the effects of Echinacea purpurea extract on the digestive ability,immune function and intestinal barrier of the Bamei ternary pigs.Forty-eight healthy pigs of 50 days old were randomly divided into four groups,each with three replicates and four pigs in each replicate.The control group(CON)was fed a basal diet,and the experimental group was divided into 5 g/kg(T1),10 g/kg(T2)and 15 g/kg(T3)of Echinacea extract in the basal diet.The pre-test period was 5 days and the main test period was 35 days with free feeding and drinking during the test period.The results showed that:There was no significant effect on the apparent digestibility of nutrients and jejunum morphology in the test group compared to the CON group(P>0.05).Amylase and trypsin activities were significantly higher in the experimental group and lipase activities were significantly higher in T2 and T3 groups compared to CON group(P<0.05).GSH,CAT and T-AOC activities were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to CON group(P<0.05).In comparison with CON group,the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were significantly lower in the experimental group(P<0.05),and the levels of TNF-α were significantly lower in the T2 and T3 groups(P<0.05);and the levels of IL-10 were signifi-cantly higher in the T3 group(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4,MyD88,TRAF6,and NF-κB were significantly lower in the experimental group(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of CLDN-1,OCLN and ZO-1 were significantly increased in the test group(P<0.05).The results between the test groups showed that the protein expression levels of CLDN-1 and OCLN were significantly increased in the T3 group compared with the T1 group(P<0.05).In conclusion,the addition of Echinacea extract to the ration can,to a certain ex-tent,improve the digestive ability,balance the immune ability,and improve the intestinal barrier function of the Bamei ternary pigs,thus promoting the intestinal health of pigs.
9.Artificial intelligence in traditional Chinese medicine: from systems biological mechanism discovery, real-world clinical evidence inference to personalized clinical decision support.
Dengying YAN ; Qiguang ZHENG ; Kai CHANG ; Rui HUA ; Yiming LIU ; Jingyan XUE ; Zixin SHU ; Yunhui HU ; Pengcheng YANG ; Yu WEI ; Jidong LANG ; Haibin YU ; Xiaodong LI ; Runshun ZHANG ; Wenjia WANG ; Baoyan LIU ; Xuezhong ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(11):1310-1328
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a paradigmatic approach to personalized medicine, developed through the systematic accumulation and refinement of clinical empirical data over more than 2000 years, and now encompasses large-scale electronic medical records (EMR) and experimental molecular data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in medicine through the development of various expert systems (e.g., MYCIN) since the 1970s. With the emergence of deep learning and large language models (LLMs), AI's potential in medicine shows considerable promise. Consequently, the integration of AI and TCM from both clinical and scientific perspectives presents a fundamental and promising research direction. This survey provides an insightful overview of TCM AI research, summarizing related research tasks from three perspectives: systems-level biological mechanism elucidation, real-world clinical evidence inference, and personalized clinical decision support. The review highlights representative AI methodologies alongside their applications in both TCM scientific inquiry and clinical practice. To critically assess the current state of the field, this work identifies major challenges and opportunities that constrain the development of robust research capabilities-particularly in the mechanistic understanding of TCM syndromes and herbal formulations, novel drug discovery, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered clinical care. The findings underscore that future advancements in AI-driven TCM research will rely on the development of high-quality, large-scale data repositories; the construction of comprehensive and domain-specific knowledge graphs (KGs); deeper insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning clinical efficacy; rigorous causal inference frameworks; and intelligent, personalized decision support systems.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Artificial Intelligence
;
Humans
;
Precision Medicine
;
Decision Support Systems, Clinical
10.Factors affecting Pomacea distribution and prediction of suitable distribution areas of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province
Zhongqiu LI ; Yuhua LIU ; Yunhai GUO ; Zixin WEI ; Junhu CHEN ; Qiang WANG ; Tianmei LI ; Shizhu LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the factors affecting the distribution of Pomacea and project the trends in the spread of suitable distribution areas of Pomacea in 2050 and 2070 in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, so as to provide insights into Pomacea control in the prefecture. Methods The longitudes and latitudes of Pomacea sampling sites were captured based on Pomacea field survey data in 12 cities (counties) of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture from 2023 to 2024. A total of 19 climatic factors (annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest month, mean temperature of the coldest month, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, and mean temperature of the coldest quarter) and representative concentration pathways (RCPs) were retrieved from the world climate database (www.worldclim.org). All climatic variables were employed to create a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. The predictive accuracy of the model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and the contributions of these 19 climatic factors to the distribution of Pomacea were analyzed in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture using Jackknife test. In addition, the suitable distribution areas of Pomacea were predicted with the MaxEnt model in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in 2024 and in 2050 and 2070 under RCP4.5. Results Data pertaining to 91 Pomacea sampling sites were captured. ROC analysis revealed the MaxEnt model had an AUC value of 0.885 ± 0.088 for predicting the suitable distribution areas of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Of the 19 climatic factors, the maximum temperature of the warmest month had the highest contribution to the distribution of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, followed by mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and minimum temperature of the coldest month. The suitable distribution area of Pomacea was predicted to be 14 555.69 km2 in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in 2024, and would expand gradually to the southeastern part of the prefecture in the future due to climatic factors. The suitable distribution areas of Pomacea were projected to expand to 21 475.61 km2 in 2050 and 25 782.52 km2 in 2070 in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, respectively. Conclusions Temperature is an important contributor to the distribution of Pomacea in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and the suitable distribution area of Pomacea will gradually expand to the southeastern part of the prefecture in 2050 and 2070.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail